Gas Appliances Safety Tips

• Ensure all appliances are regularly serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines
• Before turning on a gas burner, light the match or press the ignition button. If the burner will not light, turn off the gas and wait for the gas smell to clear before trying again
• Take care with your gas appliances. Do not leave clothes, papers or any flammable material near burners.
• Always ensure any permanent ventilation openings are not blocked.
• Do not operate natural gas appliances on any other type of gas. Operating an appliance on the wrong type of gas can be extremely hazardous.
• Do not tamper with safety valves or similar fittings on your appliances. Do not use force to open taps.
• Keep a gas oven and hot plates clean do not allow fat and burned food to build up.
• Turn gas heaters off when you leave the house or go to sleep.
• If your heater is not working properly or the flue is not removing all pollutants, the level of combustion products in your home can become too high, and you can become tired or short of breath. You may develop headaches, dizziness, nausea and weakness. You could also become sleepy and/or confused. If you suspect your heater may be causing these symptoms, turn it off and call a licensed gasfitter.
• Check the appearance of radiant heaters when in operation. A visible flame beyond the immediate surface of the tile could indicate the appliance is faulty and that carbon monoxide is being emitted.
• Care should be taken using older gas-fired or poorly serviced appliances. If you smell an acrid odour, immediately shut off the appliance and vacate the room. The odour could indicate the presence of poisonous gases, including carbon monoxide.
• Do not turn the gas up to full before igniting it
• Pilot lights and main burners should produce a blue flame. Call the manufacturer or a licensed gas fitter if the flame is yellow or red
• Do not spray aerosols near operating gas appliances. The flammable gas in aerosols can be a fire hazard
• LP Gas and natural gas are different. Operating an appliance on the wrong type of gas can be hazardous
• Never tamper with safety valves or other fittings and do not use excessive force to open or close gas control knobs
• Always supervise young children near heaters or any gas appliance
• Never use any outdoor gas appliance indoors (eg. barbecues and camping style equipment)
• Flueless heaters require permanent ventilation. For further information regarding the legal requirements or technical advice in reference to gas unflued heaters, please contact either your gas fitter or the Technical Regulator.

Read our SA Gas Safety Brochure (.pdf file, 2kb)
Read our NSW Gas Safety Brochure (.pdf file, 1kb)